What’s Involved?

Thank you for your interest in joining Sydney Metropolitan Wildlife Services (Sydney Wildlife). We are a non-profit wildlife organisation operating under licence from NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.

Our goals are the rescue, rehabilitation and release of sick, injured and orphaned native wildlife and educating the community about wildlife and habitat preservation. Prospective members must complete a two day weekend, Rescue & Care Course. On successful completion of the course trainees become members of Sydney Wildlife and are issued with an annually renewable authority to rescue and foster care a range of native wildlife including a wide range of native birds, adult possums, turtles and lizards. Once new members have gained some experience, further training is available for those wishing to care for baby animals and/or a range of other species such as bats, snakes, macropods (such as wallabies and kangaroos) and raptors.

Members must be at least 18 years of age and are required to be available for animal rescues when possible and to care for wildlife in their own homes. Members are also expected to meet the costs of travel and animal food & equipment and to commit to assisting in the staffing of Sydney Wildlife's Rescue Hotline. The Hotline is based at our office in Lane Cove National Park. Shifts are either from 9am to 1pm or 1pm to 5pm and the office is open every day of the year.

Answering the rescue hotline is interesting and rewarding - exposing members to a wide range of scenarios and rescue situations. The hotline is the lifeblood of our organisation - if the phone isn't answered, animals don't get rescued.

Attendance at the Rescue & Care Course costs $100 which includes a wide range of resources including course notes, a bird identification book, bird care manual, rescue basket and emergency food packs. Two people residing at the same address and sharing course materials are offered a combined reduced fee of $130.

This course is specifically designed for people wishing to become members of Sydney Wildlife and to actively rescue and care for native wildlife. It is not a general education course and is not suitable for those intending to work professionally with animals or who are seeking a prerequisite for entry into another course.

Prior to enrolling, please think carefully. Wildlife rescue is not for everyone. While it can be extremely rewarding, it can also be time consuming and sometimes distressing.

Members need to be able to handle animals confidently and to accept that in some cases, the animals they encounter may die or have to be euthanased.

If you have any questions, please call one of our friendly volunteers at our office for a more detailed discussion. If, however, you believe you have what it takes, then please email training@sydneywildlife.org.au or call our office on 9413 4300 to leave your details for an information package to be mailed or emailed to you. If you enquire by email and do not have access to a printer, please provide your name and postal address so that an information pack can also be sent to you in the mail.